Karnataka polls: EC advises parties to show restraint, stick to issue-based debates

NEW DELHI: The Election Commission, taking serious note of the “plummeting level of discourse” during the Karnataka poll campaign, dashed off an advisory on Tuesday to all the national and state political parties, candidates and star campaigners, asking them to exercise caution and restraint in their utterances and stick to issue-based debates so as to maintain a high standard of discourse.
The EC advisory came days after Leader of the Opposition in Rajya Sabha Mallikarjun Kharge, while addressing a poll rally, likened Prime Minister Narendra Modi to a “poisonous snake”. While the BJP slammed Kharge and demanded that an FIR be registered against him, Modi, during a speech two days ago, responded by invoking Lord Shiva, who has a snake coiled around his neck, to underline that he was okay with “being the snake on the neck of god-like public”.
On Monday, however, Kharge's son and Congress MLA Priyank referred to Modi as a “nalayak”. The BJP has now moved EC seeking action against Priyank Kharge.
Acknowledging instances relating to use of inappropriate vocabulary and language during the ongoing campaign by persons, in particular, those invested with the statutory status of star campaigner, EC on Wednesday said “such instances have occasioned various complaints, cross complaints and have also attracted negative media attention”.
The commission noted that national parties and star campaigners enjoy extra enablements under the Representation of the People Act. For instance, the expenditure on travel and public meetings of star campaigners is not charged to the candidate’s poll expense account.
“It is imperative for all parties and stakeholders to remain within the confines of the model code of conduct and the legal framework in their utterances while campaigning so as to maintain the dignity of the political discourse and not to vitiate the campaign and the election atmosphere. They are thus expected to contribute in maintaining and raising the level of discourse to “issue” based debate, provide pan India perspective and depth to the local discourse and to reassure all sections of electors to participate fully and fearlessly in a free and fair,” the EC said in its advisory.
The commission has directed the Karnataka chief electoral officer to ensure wide publicity and compliance of its advisory and initiate appropriate and timely action against violators, as per extant regulatory and legal framework.
EC on Tuesday underlined that MCC has provisions against the use of provocative and inflammatory statements, intemperate and abusive language transgressing the limits of decency; and attacks on the personal character and conduct of political rivals. Also Section 171G of IPC makes a false statement issued in connection with election an offence. while Section 499 and 500 restrain campaigners from making defamatory remarks
“The spirit of the MCC is not just avoidance of a direct violation, it also prohibits attempts to vitiate the electoral space through suggestive or indirect statements or innuendoes,” said EC.